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FUSION summer camp offers community fun

Jessicah Peters/Hardeeville TodayThe Hardeeville Parks and Recreation Department joined forces with the Operation City Transformation to create a fun summer camp for the community.

Jessicah Peters/Hardeeville TodayCampers prepare for a game of kickball at FUSION summer camp at the Hardeeville recreation complex.

Jessicah Peters/Hardeeville TodayFUSION campers played a game of kickball during the morning activities Monday.

Jessicah Peters/Hardeeville TodayThe FUSION summer camp gives an opportunity for children in Hardeeville to meet new children and play oustide from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursdays.

Jessicah Peters/Hardeeville TodayHardeeville Parks and Recreation Department combined its efforts with Operation City Transformation to promote a summer camp in the community.

Instead of spending summer days indoors, Hardeeville children are active, making new friends with the help of FUSION.

The Hardeeville Parks and Recreation Department, along with Operation City Transformation of Abundant Life Academy began the second annual FUSION summer camp in June. The camp has a busy schedule set through July 25.

When the city’s recreation department found a need for summer camp in the community, the staff soon discovered that Operation City Transformation also wanted to provide fun activities for the children.

Because of the limited resources and help available, the camp can accommodate just 25 children. Many who attended last year returned this year and brought family members. Raven Favor, programs coordinator and media specialist for the city, said the camp has improved the activities and hopes to be able to provide services to more children as the camp grows.

“We’ve had to increase our price, but it hasn’t stopped the campers. We have a waiting list which we hope to allow more children to come next year,” Favor said. “I really like interacting with the children and being able to provide this camp to the community.”

The mornings begin with warm-ups and exercises to get the children active. Games include kickball or other sports activities led by Addison Jarrell.

“I enjoy the fact that Hardeeville can actually put together this for the kids,” Jarrell said. “As things progress, we hope to expand our activities and make the camp better as we go along.”

With 25 children, the camp relies on five adults and four interns to lead the group. While the camp is based at the recreation complex, the campers also travel to surrounding locations.

The beach, the Savannah National Wildlife Center, Blue Heron Nature Trail and the movies are all field trips the campers experience.

Favor said the children will also tour the fire and police stations to learn more about public safety.

Angie Sutherland, Operations City Transformation volunteer, said the camp allows her as an adult to have some fun.

“We often forget how free we really are. Being with the kids you can just escape the adult stresses and just be free and have fun,” Sutherland said.

Operation City Transformation was founded by Abundant Life Church’s pastor Paul Broussard in 2008. The organization helps the community become a better place. Whether it is through the food bank, clothing store, GED or computer classes, Operation City Transformation provides services for the community through a faith-based program.

“Through FUSION, we’re building trust with the families to see that although we’re a faith-based organization, we can still partner with governing agencies and offer something that will better the community,” Broussard said. “We want to continue offering camps, outreach programs and afterschool programs to help the children in Hardeeville and Jasper County.”